She speaks to her mate while the pups socialize, sharing her wish to take the quartet just a bit further than they'd intended — and, to her surprise,
@Kavik agrees. When the meeting concludes and the unfamiliar pups are on their way, the family continues south. The pair leads their brood to a forest, and Alessia draws up alongside her mate to deliver a brief, playful nip to his shoulder before she falls back to walk with her children.
What do you see?
She asks them, offering an encouraging smile.
He had agreed to take them farther only because they all seemed so happy to be out beyond the borders of the creek. He loved to see them happy, and he was always looking for ways to encourage their curiosity, but the farther they got from the creek, the more tense he became. As they moved into the forest at the base of the mountains, his gaze continuously scanned their surroundings before lowering to count and make sure four little pups were still behind him scattered around Alessia. As if she could sense his steadily increasing unease, his mate pushed up against his side and playfully nipped his shoulder. He turned to offer her an equally playful raise of his eyebrow, his muscles relaxing just a little as he waited for the children to answer their mother's question.
Further away from the Creek they went, and part of him finds himself tense just like his father. It is uncharted territory by the raven boy. His eyes scanning, watching for the slightest movement upon the horizon. Just as before, Helios keeps close to Zephyr. The silver sibling seeming to take the outing the worse amongst them, and thus, it is his responsibility as dutiful older brother to watch over the youngest. Maybe when they're settled again, he could offer further comfort via play or cuddles. For now, they keep moving after their parents.
At mom's question, Helios halts. His ears alert and eyes scanning for possibilities. There is... trees. Many trees. And a weird smell in the air. Lips part, about to answer in French when a harsh, eerie cry echoes in the Forest surrounding them. Helios stiffens, and Zephyr clings closer. The raven boy tucks his chin protectively over Zephyr's head. His eyes on his parents—questioning what the hell that was.